listen

1 of 2

verb

lis·​ten ˈli-sᵊn 

listened; listening ˈli-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈlis-niŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to pay attention to sound

listen to music

2

: to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration

listen to a plea

3

: to be alert to catch an expected sound

listen for his step

transitive verb

archaic : to give ear to : hear

listen

2 of 2

noun

: an act of listening

Synonyms

Verb

• attend
• hark
• harken
• hear
• hearken
• heed
• mind

Examples of listen in a Sentence

Verb

I listened as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.

She listened with interest as he told her about his travels.

She tried to warn him of the dangers, but he wouldn't listen.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And listen to archery coach John Dudley on other ways to beat buck fever. —Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024

People listen to Harris give her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Noun

That was decades and dozens and dozens of listens ago. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. 2024

The actress and singer, 26, is bringing her signature raspy voice to Joan Didion’s first nonfiction essay collection, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, in a new audiobook format — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English listnen, from Old English hlysnan; akin to Sanskrit śroṣati he hears, Old English hlūd loud

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing listen

• listen for
• listen in
• listen out for
• listen up
• listen with only half an ear

Kids Definition

listen

verb

lis·​ten

ˈlis-ᵊn

listened; listening

ˈlis-niŋ,

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to pay attention in order to hear

listen for a signal

listen to a new CD

2

: to give heed : follow advice

listen to a warning

listener

ˈlis-nər

-ᵊn-ər

noun